Buying and selling on the Sabbath is forbidden. Due to the nature of this sacred day, it is considered a sin or breaking the Sabbath by doing commerce.
This day was created by God for rest, not for daily activities like shopping.
Sabbath Principles in the Bible
When the Bible first introduces the Sabbath, it frames it as a day of rest and worship.
The clearest articulation comes from the Ten Commandments, where God commands His people to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11).
The Sabbath is set apart from ordinary days as a gift—a time to cease regular labor and focus on God, family, and rejuvenation.
At its core, the Sabbath is about rest, but it is also about relationships: reconnecting with our Creator and those around us.
Old Testament Guidance About Commerce on the Sabbath
The Old Testament goes beyond just rest and specifically addresses the issue of commerce on the Sabbath.
In passages like Nehemiah 13:15-22, the people of Israel are rebuked for conducting business and buying or selling goods on the Sabbath. Nehemiah saw this as “profaning” the day God had made holy.
The same concern is reflected in Amos 8:5, where merchants impatiently wait for the Sabbath to end so they can resume trading.
From these passages, we see that commercial activity was seen as a distraction from the spiritual and communal purposes of the Sabbath, and the prophets were passionate about protecting its sanctity.
The Spiritual Purpose of Sabbath
The prophet Isaiah writes, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day… then you shall delight yourself in the Lord” (Isaiah 58:13-14).
The Sabbath is not just a rule; it is a means to enjoy God more deeply.
By stepping away from everyday commerce and busyness, the Sabbath becomes a rhythm of trust, gratitude, and spiritual refreshment—a time to remind ourselves that our worth is not measured by productivity or purchasing power.
Jesus and the Sabbath
When Jesus entered the scene, He challenged some of the rigid interpretations of the Sabbath.
He reminded people that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
For Jesus, the focus shifted from strict rule-keeping to the underlying purpose: mercy, well-being, and restoration.
While Jesus does not give a direct ruling on spending money, His actions—healing on the Sabbath and permitting acts of necessity—suggest that the Sabbath is about freedom and compassion rather than legalism.
This perspective encourages believers to honor the Sabbath’s purpose above a checklist of dos and don’ts.
Conclusion
From Old Testament prophets to the teachings of Jesus, the invitation is consistent: set the Sabbath apart, resist the pull of commerce, and let it be a day nourished by rest, worship, and renewal.
My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary
The Days of Noah – Powerful Documentary (Video Format)
Bible Studies – Written Format
